My little helper

Hayden has been my little helper ever since she could walk. She loves to help unload the dishwasher, help put clothes in the dryer, sort socks, set the table, help cook, etc. But her most favorite job of all is bringing the garbage can in from the street. I have never quite understood why she likes it so much, because the can is bigger than she is and we have a steep driveway so it is no easy task. The garbage usually runs pretty early in the morning, so right after dropping the girls off at school on Thursdays, she runs down to see if the can is empty. And if it is, she starts the long journey up the driveway. I always offer to help, but she never wants it.
This is the funniest thing to watch when she is hauling it uphill. From this angle you can't see her, so it looks like it is going up the driveway by itself.
Since this whole garbage can experience occurs on a weekly basis, I decided to take pictures of it. So, Hayden also wanted a posed picture with the garbage can. I know, totally gross. But this is her holding an imaginary bouquet of flowers and pretending to marry the garbage can.
Hayden is doubly excited now about garbage, because last week our recycle can was delivered. So now she gets to haul two different cans up the driveway. I tell you she is one lucky girl.

Good friends - good times

Since the Kirbys have moved closer to us, we have seen more of them. It is easier to get together for a playdate now and then. Shawna has offered to watch Hayden for me a few times. So, the other day I went and picked up Grant and Bradie in return. Besides the fact that Hayden totally loves playing with them, I know from experience that running errands by yourself is a million times easier than doing it with the kids.

Anyway, after lunch, playing, and coming in and out of the back door about a million times, they settled in for a little TV time. PBS Kids and gummi bears make for some happy kids. I love for Hayden to have someone to play with and someone else to chatter to. And don't let Bradie's little petite size fool you. That girl can put away some gummi bears. I probably should have cut her off, but she is just too cute to say "no" to.

Just a little side note: I love the dishes for kids from IKEA. They are perfect for everything.

I really am smart!

I am always telling Bryan that my main redeeming quality is my intelligence. I think I am really trying to convince myself more than anything when I say that. The day to day tasks of laundry, carpool, cooking, cleaning, etc. don't require a tremendous amount of higher level thinking. So, I actively seek out information to keep my brain active. I think that when you have kids, part of your brain is used to form their brain because I feel like I got a little dumber after each kid. I have run laundry without adding soap, walked around the house looking for my cellphone while I am on it, mixed up my kids' names on a daily basis, told Bryan the same thing twice within a few minutes because I can't remember if I thought it or actually said it, and totally forgotten entire conversations I have had with Lynne. So, I have to hold on to the brain matter I have left.
Anyway, I came across this little test on someone else's blog and thought I would give it a whirl. Thankfully, I found out that I really am smart. So, give it a try.

Summertime is finally here

Yes, I know it is only spring. But it's definately summer-ish. All the signs point to summer. We have full on heat and humidity. I think it is finally safe to pack the winter clothes away. School will be out in less than 4 weeks. And the ice cream man has started making his rounds. The girls came running in when they heard the first truck this afternoon. But by the time I robbed Bryan's wallet, the truck was gone, but obviously not forgotten. So when the second truck came, we were ready. After he handed over a powerpuff girl popsicle for Taylor, a lil bratz popsicle for Hayden, a giant ice cream sandwich for their friend, and some mouth dyeing popsicle for Payton, I handed the man his money and told him to never come back by here again. I don't think he took me seriously, though. I am pretty sure their map has a big star by our house so they know to come to our house everyday and drive around the block blaring Turkey in the Straw until I give in and buy more.


Of course I had to take a few cute pictures. When I came back in the house, Bryan saw me with the camera. Can you believe he accused me of letting the girls get stuff from the ice cream man just so I could take pictures?! Of course I wanted pictures. 1) I need something to blog about and 2)When the girls complain about how they never get anything they want, I have proof otherwise. But that is not why I let them get something. I knew that everyday we heard that music coming up the street, they would beg me for ice cream. If he came by 100 times, they would beg and whine about it 100 times. So I say lets get it out of the way now and save ourselves a whole lot of trouble. Today there is ice cream for everyone, even the neighbor friend. Check that off the list of summer to-dos.

And since we are in that summer-ish spirit, we broke out the sidewalk chalks. Sidewalk chalk is not near the top of the list of things I love. Especially, since our house is on the market. Last time we got it out, the girls drew all over the fences around the backyard. But, hey after getting playdough out last night, (another one of my least favorite toys) what can a little sidewalk chalk hurt.

Just a sidenote: We scrubbed Payton's face with a loofah and still couldn't get that blue popsicle dye off. So if the ice cream man comes by your house, don't get the mouth splasher, tongue dying gigantic popsicle. You will regret it if you do.

Pooped - - Not quite.

When we got home from the Autism Walk this afternoon, Hayden was pooped. I guess riding on Bryan's shoulders half the time just wore her slap out. So while the other girls were playing on the swingset, she participated in her favorite pasttime. She found something soft to snuggle and sucked her thumb. She was too tired to even look at the camera at first.


I eventually got a smile out of her.

Then she sat right up and asked if I would take a video of her doll pretending to play the guitar. I told her I would, but that she would have to sing. She agreed and I got this little gem:

By the way, I love our daybed. It is the best place for lazing, if that is even a word. If its not, it should be. So if you are looking for a good place to laze, come on over.

Autism Walk

Taylor's teacher, Ms. Burden, invited Taylor to be part of her son Jacob's team for Mobile's Autism Walk. We were so excited to be part of this. Besides it being a great cause, it was a fun family activity. There were inflatables, crafts, live music, a silent auction, refreshments, etc. The main event was the actual walk that was set up around the parking lot at BayBears Stadium. I was able to explain to the girls a little about what Autism is and how it affects some of the kids they know. The frog is the mascot for the Autism Society of Alabama and stands for: For Research Outreach and Giving Support. Payton was a running a little ragged the last lap, so I told her about the frog and that our part is Giving Support. I think she actually understood. The girls were so excited to see some of their friends there. Ariel and Cecily Odom were also there for Team Jacob. The walk went alot faster for me since Andrea was there to chat with. We also saw the Scotts from church. Of course, we saw tons of people from school for Team Jacob.
We were part of the largest team there, by far. Ms. Burden said they had over 100 people there. It was nice to see so many parents, teachers, and students from school out to support Jacob and the Burden family.
I am so proud of my girls for making it through the event with minimal weekend. Between this and cheering on the contestants at Special Olympics last weekend, I think they are understanding the importance of service and thinking of others. And lets face it, one less Saturday spent in front of the TV watching cartoons means success to me.

Does anyone have 12K?

Bryan has had his eye on this little number for a while now (in white, not red.) He has been by the Suzuki dealer many times, sitting on it, admiring it, asking if its on sale, etc. The one he wants is still on the showroom floor just waiting for him. So whenever he is in the area of the store, he runs by for a little visit. Today was one of those days. We were just around the corner, so we stopped by. Hayden jumped out of the car first and told us she was going to show us which motorcycle daddy has picked out. She ran in the store and found "the one" in about 30 seconds. She has been there with him before and knew it right away when she saw it. All the girls talk about "when" daddy gets that motorcycle. Payton even asked if her and Bryan could come back to the store on a date. We all want him to have it. There is just one problem. $$$$$ So if anyone has a some extra $1000 dollar bills laying around that they aren't going to use, send them our way. I'm sure Bryan would take you for a ride in return.

Just another day

This is just a glimpse into a typical afternoon at our house. This was actually Wednesday after swimming with the Kirbys. The girls were very obedient and got started on their homework right away when we got home. Well, Taylor had to make a detour to change out of her swimsuit into her nightgown and to grab her CD player. She has discovered the joy of listening to music while doing homework. She was listening to the High School Musical 2 soundtrack and she would just jump up and start dancing every so often. I love having the kids doing their homework in the kitchen while I am making dinner. I know it is a weird think to love, but its those little things that count. And yes that is her nightgown. That is a girl after my own heart.

Payton was reading her "just right" book from school out on the daybed. She has discovered the Magic Treehouse series. I knew she would love those books. Taylor has read a few but never seemed terribly interested in the series. Well, Thursday when she got in the car after school, guess what she was reading. You guessed it, the same book. It was so cute to see both of them reading the same book on the way home from school. And yes, Payton is wearing her swimsuit. And yes, she did sleep in it that night.

When Hayden saw me taking pictures of the girls, the clothes she was wearing mysteriously got dirty so she had to run inside and change into this outfit. Her favorite. This beautiful green dress. She got it from Aiti for Christmas and has loved it ever since. She would wear it everyday if I would let her. The only problem is she has gotten a little taller, so the dress has gotten a little too short. But everytime she sees it hanging up clean in the laundry room, the clothes she's wearing somehow get messy or wet or sometimes just disappear, forcing her to wear this. It never even makes it out of the laundry room to her closet. If she had her way she would wear it, sleep in it, and wear it the next day. I know this because she has asked if she could.

Payton's 1st book report

Payton has her first book report due today. After alot of deliberation, Cam Jansen was ruled out and she chose Fancy Nancy. She worked hard on her picture and presentation. I am proud of her and I think she is pretty darn cute.

Is it summer yet?

Grant invited Hayden over to play in his new sprinkler. Of course, she wanted to stay all afternoon. Shawna also told me I could bring the other girls over after school. They had a great time. But between swimming, popsicles, and it not quite being summer, the girls were a little cold. However, that did not keep them out of the water. They love hanging out with Grant and Bradie and today was no exception.

Hayden's bottom lip was shaking so bad from being cold so I had to video it. I kept telling her to quit smiling because when she tried to smile her lip stopped shaking.

When she ran off at the end of the video, she was running back to jump in the pool.
Oh, and I am sorry I have not learned my lesson about the vidoes.